Benpointer said:

kinabalu said:

Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.

Nah it's fine. Plenty more to go for amongst the rich. An 8% (=NI rate) surcharge on individual investment income would be valid. Might as well do the same for pensions too once Labour have a 300 seat majority - or at least a 2% surcharge on higher rate pension income.

Plus, they can still bring forward the non-Dom abolition timetable.

Leon said:

Colin said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.

I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far

Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis

But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term
bet as any

If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless

noneoftheabove said:

Colin said:

SouthamObserver said:

One reason for the better growth numbers: OBR forecast of net immigration raised from 245k a year to 315k a year ....

https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1765373355509633263

We are in a bind. Our economy depends on mass immigration but it costs the tories votes in their core supporters.

Build. More. Houses.

Benpointer said:

Hopefully Reeve will paraphrase Dr Johnson in her response: "Your budget is both sensible and original in part. Unfortunately, the parts that are sensible are not original..."

Alanbrooke said:

viewcode said:

Alanbrooke said:

kinabalu said:

Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.

If thats the only thing they have as a policy they shouldnt bother standing

Oh I'm sure they have policies, and I'm sure they'll tell us and expect us to be impressed. But they will differ from the Blues in detail, not substance.

It's just 5 more years of continuity Sunak.

SandyRentool said:

anothernick said:

Foxy said:

anothernick said:

williamglenn said:

Can someone point out the Tory cuts?

https://x.com/rcolvile/status/1765312942973632750

There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.

I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.

It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.

Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".

Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.

Mexicanpete said:

MarqueeMark said:

Good Lady Wifey pleased with the measures for the UK film industry.

Although, not expecting luvvies to rush to Rishi's side.

I don't know.

My son fresh with his MA in Digital Video Journalism from Cardiff University School of Journalism agrees with her. I suspect he is diametrically opposite both in terms of earnings and political leaning, but he liked that element of the budget nonetheless.

Benpointer said:

kinabalu said:

Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.

Nah it's fine. Plenty more to go for amongst the rich. An 8% (=NI rate) surcharge on individual investment income would be valid. Might as well do the same for pensions too once Labour have a 300 seat majority - or at least a 2% surcharge on higher rate pension income.

Plus, they can still bring forward the non-Dom abolition timetable.

MoonRabbit said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

numbertwelve said:

They are playing for November. I am convinced there will be another autumn statement, now.

I think there is no doubt after today

Boats.

TOPPING said:

anothernick said:

SandyRentool said:

anothernick said:

Foxy said:

anothernick said:

williamglenn said:

Can someone point out the Tory cuts?

https://x.com/rcolvile/status/1765312942973632750

There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.

I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.

It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.

Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".

Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.

There are always exceptions....

My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.

That's surprising don't most GPs keep some on the day appointments for "urgent" cases. ie if you ring up that morning you can usually expect to be seen that morning/day.

Phil said:

Nigelb said:

Phil said:

MattW said:

Nigelb said:

MattW said:

This seems really strange from the German ambassador.

Nothing to do with us, Guv.

The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.

Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.

As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.

In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.

Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962

Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.

Shoulda used Whatsapp?

(I'm not up to date on it.)

They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-defense-minister-blames-taurus-call-leak-officer-logging-via-insecure-hotel-line/

Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.

Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.

"Our communication systems were not compromised"
Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?

I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.

They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.

Nigelb said:

Phil said:

MattW said:

Nigelb said:

MattW said:

This seems really strange from the German ambassador.

Nothing to do with us, Guv.

The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.

Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.

As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.

In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.

Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962

Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.

Shoulda used Whatsapp?

(I'm not up to date on it.)

They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-defense-minister-blames-taurus-call-leak-officer-logging-via-insecure-hotel-line/

Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.

Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.

"Our communication systems were not compromised"
Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?

FF43 said:

SouthamObserver said:

One reason for the better growth numbers: OBR forecast of net immigration raised from 245k a year to 315k a year ....

https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1765373355509633263

Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Well.

NEW energy minister criticises key Budget measure… that’s a first…

I agree with Douglas.
There is much in this budget to welcome. Much that is good for Scotland and our United Kingdom. And only the Conservatives have a plan.

However, the extension of the EPL is deeply disappointing. I will be working with him to resolve this.

https://x.com/faisalislam/status/1765386719266812052?s=46

Colin said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you

You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.

But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.

For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.

What the fuck is this gibberish?

Let me summarise.

For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.

Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB

He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.

Colin said:

TOPPING said:

Colin said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you

You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.

But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.

For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.

What the fuck is this gibberish?

Let me summarise.

For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.

Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB

He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.

Yeah I mean not bad at all.

That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.

But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.

Don't be impatient iow.

Good luck.

I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.

Leon said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Colin said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.

I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far

Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis

But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term
bet as any

If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless

US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now.
There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.

Which are?

I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc

They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison


This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit

Colin said:

TOPPING said:

Colin said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you

You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.

But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.

For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.

What the fuck is this gibberish?

Let me summarise.

For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.

Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB

He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.

Yeah I mean not bad at all.

That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.

But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.

Don't be impatient iow.

Good luck.

I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.

Malmesbury said:

Phil said:

MattW said:

Nigelb said:

MattW said:

This seems really strange from the German ambassador.

Nothing to do with us, Guv.

The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.

Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.

As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.

In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.

Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962

Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.

Shoulda used Whatsapp?

(I'm not up to date on it.)

They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-defense-minister-blames-taurus-call-leak-officer-logging-via-insecure-hotel-line/

Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.

The insanity there is not having end to end encryption. Even if the landline passed through Putin's office, they shouldn't have been able to get anything.

numbertwelve said:

For a minute I thought he was going to abolish NI then.

williamglenn said:

Sandpit said:

Phil said:

Nigelb said:

Phil said:

MattW said:

Nigelb said:

MattW said:

This seems really strange from the German ambassador.

Nothing to do with us, Guv.

The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.

Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.

As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.

In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.

Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962

Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.

Shoulda used Whatsapp?

(I'm not up to date on it.)

They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.

https://www.politico.eu/article/german-defense-minister-blames-taurus-call-leak-officer-logging-via-insecure-hotel-line/

Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.

Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.

"Our communication systems were not compromised"
Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?

I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.

They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.

So the German military bought the industry-standard secure online conference call system, then configured it so that people could dial in via a phone line, and that *that* was the vector that caught them out only once?

They’re hoping that this disclosure is better than saying they were running a whole load more Webex settings, that might allow random people to join in online with nothing more than a reference number.

I call bullsh!t.

https://www.newsweek.com/nato-russia-ukraine-china-germany-tapping-espionage-huawei-1876138

The military in NATO ally Germany is offering communications apps to soldiers and other federal employees on Chinese phone maker Huawei's app store — even though the telecoms giant has been deemed a security risk by the U.S. and European Union, Newsweek can reveal.

Colin said:

Nigelb said:

Colin said:

TOPPING said:

Colin said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

TOPPING said:

Leon said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you

You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.

But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.

For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.

What the fuck is this gibberish?

Let me summarise.

For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.

Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB

He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.

Yeah I mean not bad at all.

That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.

But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.

Don't be impatient iow.

Good luck.

I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.

It fits the regular pattern.
As does multiple posting as soon as you join the site.

If you're an innocent newb, then that would be the real surprise. As Topping says, learn to play yourself in.
This isn't 20/20.

Boycott used to play himself in but he sent the crowd to sleep.

Leon said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Colin said:

Muesli said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Colin said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

BlancheLivermore said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

SirNorfolkPassmore said:

Leon said:

Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent

But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies

You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc

Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing

Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect

The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.

I hope you see the statistical error here

No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.

I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.

At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six

Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.

But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.

So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).

Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.

I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime.
This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.

I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.

And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.

I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far

Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis

But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term
bet as any

If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless

US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now.
There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.

Which are?

I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc

They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison


This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit

Ratters said:

It's quite the swing in approach on NI. Sunak as chancellor almost increased it to 13.25% and now it's dropping to 8%.

Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.

Ratters said:

It's quite the swing in approach on NI. Sunak as chancellor almost increased it to 13.25% and now it's dropping to 8%.

Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.

williamglenn said:

Sandpit said:

Ratters said:

It's quite the swing in approach on NI. Sunak as chancellor almost increased it to 13.25% and now it's dropping to 8%.

Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.

NI is going to be a total pain in the arse to actually abolish, thanks to a whole load of legislation around pensions etc.

The hope is that it trends to 1% over time, which is both progressive* and equalises earned vs unearned income.

*Most 20% taxpayers don’t realise there’s an upper limit, and that most 40% taxpayers only pay 2% NI contributions.

Abolishing employers' constributions as a first step would be a good way to make salaries more transparent.

squareroot2 said:

All pensioners like me will.
be pissed off. Vote Labour.

Scott_xP said:

@TomLarkinSky

We're running a panel of 2019 Tory voters with @SamCoatesSky + @YouGov to get their Budget reactions.

These are THE key voters. And their first response is damning:

❌ "Absolutely farcical"
❌ "A great vote-loser"
❌ "Not bold enough"
❌ "Waste of time. Time for them to go"

anothernick said:

squareroot2 said:

All pensioners like me will.
be pissed off. Vote Labour.

Yes the budget doesn't offer anything much to pensioners. From April the basic state pension will be £11,502 so anyone with a private pension of more than £1,068 will be dragged into the income tax net. There must be many more pensioners paying income tax now than was the case when tax allowances were frozen in 2022.

Colin said:

TOPPING said:

Colin said:

Sandpit said:

numbertwelve said:

Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.

She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.

She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.

These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Too soon.

Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.

THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.

I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.

Ask me to comment for 6 weeks on scottish subsamples and i would desire a move to north korea for the excitement.

noneoftheabove said:

Scott_xP said:

@TomLarkinSky

We're running a panel of 2019 Tory voters with @SamCoatesSky + @YouGov to get their Budget reactions.

These are THE key voters. And their first response is damning:

❌ "Absolutely farcical"
❌ "A great vote-loser"
❌ "Not bold enough"
❌ "Waste of time. Time for them to go"

I think the budget was reasonable given the starting point, but it is clear that virtually no-one is listening to the Tories anymore or giving them benefit of the doubt or time at all.

viewcode said:

Mexicanpete said:

...My son fresh with his MA in Digital Video Journalism from Cardiff University School of Journalism....

Is he a YouTuber?

Colin said:

Good comment here from Isabel Oakeshott

The NHS is NOT the reason most of us are "proud to be British." The NHS was a great idea. It is no longer fit for purpose - as millions of people who cannot get the care they need can attest.
1:56 PM · Mar 6, 2024
·
17.5K
Views

https://x.com/IsabelOakeshott/status/1765375876546392130?s=20

SandyRentool said:

I have now discovered that the very nice Mr Hunt has given us £14,462,213 from the Levelling Up Fund.

Not only will I be voting Conservative, I will be actively campaigning for the lovely Philip Davies.